Cyber-shot DSC-W7

Released March 2005

A 7.2 MP CCD compact with a 3× Carl Zeiss zoom, optical finder, 2.5-inch screen, AA batteries and 32 MB internal storage.

Type: Compact
Sensor: 1/1.8-type
Megapixels: 7.2
Lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Video: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Body weight: 197 g

What reviewers say

DPReview and Digital Trends praised the solid handling, fast operation, bright screen, pleasing colour and useful AA battery life. Both encountered occasional focus errors. DPReview also found highlight clipping, processing softness and limited manual aperture choices; Digital Trends particularly disliked the supplied software. Both judged it a capable, easy-to-use compact for ordinary photographs.

From dpreview.com and digitaltrends.com

Specifications

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Image and sensor

Camera type: Compact
Sensor format: 1/1.8-type
Sensor type: Super HAD CCD
Effective resolution: 7.2 MP
Largest image: 3072 × 2304
RAW recording: No
Standard ISO range: 100–400
Sensor detail: 1/1.8-type primary-colour CCD; original Japanese maker sheet gives 7.4 million total and 7.2 million effective photosites
Image formats: JPEG Fine or Standard; native 3072 × 2304 or 3072 × 2048 in 3:2 mode; no RAW recording
Image processor: Real Imaging Processor

Lens and shooting

Built-in lens: 38–114 mm equivalent
Maximum aperture: f/2.8–5.2
Optical zoom: 3×
Lens detail: Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar; actual 7.9–23.7 mm; optional VAD-WA adaptor supports conversion lenses and filters
Autofocus: Multi-point or centre AF with illuminator; normal range from 0.5 m, macro from 0.06 m wide or 0.3 m telephoto; five preset focus distances
Shutter: Automatic 1/8–1/2000 second; Program 1–1/2000 second; Manual 30–1/1000 second
Burst detail: Maker specifies up to five full-resolution frames at approximately 0.9-second intervals; Multi Burst captures 16 small images into a composite and is a separate mode
Flash: Built-in automatic, forced, off or slow-sync flash with red-eye reduction; UK maker reach 0.2–4.5 m wide or 0.3–2.5 m telephoto; no hot shoe
Exposure controls: Automatic, program and manual exposure; ±2 EV in 1/3 EV steps; seven scenes including Snow; multi-pattern, centre-weighted or spot metering; histogram

Video

Highest video resolution: 640 × 480 at 30 fps
Video detail: MPEG-1 with mono sound; VGA Fine 30 fps requires Memory Stick PRO and cannot use internal memory; Standard VGA approximately 16.6 fps and video-mail 160 × 112 approximately 8.3 fps

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder: Optical
Screen size: 2.5″
Screen dots: 115,000
Display detail: 2.5-inch TFT with 115,000 dots in both original Japanese maker sheet and current UK support; optical real-image finder

Connections and design

Bluetooth: No
Battery life (maker's claim): 380 photographs
Body weight: 197 g
Release detail: Original Japanese launch sheet gives 18 March 2005 first sale
Recording media: 32 MB internal memory; full-size Memory Stick or Memory Stick PRO slot, with Duo variants using an adaptor; internal memory is used with the card removed
Ports: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed mini-B, mono composite AV output and PictBridge direct printing
Battery life detail: Two supplied NH-AA-DA NiMH cells; maker CIPA claim 370 photographs or 190 minutes; original Japanese launch sheet separately gives 70 photographs with optional AA alkaline cells
Charging: Supplied BC-CS2 external NiMH charger
Dimensions: 91 × 60 × 37.1 mm (width × height × depth)
Weight detail: Approximately 197 g camera only; 253 g including battery, card and strap in original maker table
Colours: Silver in the original Japanese launch list
In the box: Two NH-AA-DA rechargeable cells with case, BC-CS2 charger and power cord, AV cable, USB cable, wrist strap and software CD

Pros and cons

Pros

Optical finder alongside a large LCD
Manual exposure and conversion-lens support
Rechargeable or alkaline AA batteries

Cons

No aperture or shutter priority
VGA Fine video requires Memory Stick PRO
No custom white balance

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Sensor	Megapixels	Lens	Video	Body weight	Released
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P200	Compact	1/1.8-type	7.2	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	144 g	2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-W5	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	197 g	Mar 2005
SonyCyber-shot DSC-P100	Compact	1/1.8-type	5.1	38–114 mm equivalent	640 × 480 at 30 fps	147 g	2004

Sources

Photo: Sony Japan official silver DSC-W7 photograph, native 740 × 555 pixels; complete supplied canvas and background retained

Sony W5/W7 camera body camera held in a hand, front oblique view; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony W5/W7 camera body lens and front housing close-up; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony W5/W7 camera body held in a hand, rear view with a photograph on its display; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony W5/W7 camera body on a tabletop, rear view beside Memory Stick cards; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony W5/W7 camera body rear camera held in two hands with a photograph on its display; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained
Sony W5/W7 camera body camera shown together with optional cases, conversion lenses, underwater housing and other accessories; shared photograph published on the exact DSC-W7 product page: Sony Japan official W7 photograph; complete supplied canvas and background retained

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